Royals flush

Jaap Stam’s side made it through in the last cup game to finish tonight.

22:34Adam Steel

How the Boro first-time starters fared

Boro boss Garry Monk made nine changes for the visit of Scunthorpe United - and now has plenty to ponder with those coming in helping Boro advance safely into the third round.

You can read Dom’s thoughts on how those players who got their first starts of the season fared in an extremely comfortable Boro victory HERE

Dimi Konstantopoulos had little to do in the Boro goal against Scunthorpe in the Carabao Cup (Image: James Griffiths)

22:29Adam Steel

Our video verdict

22:26Adam Steel

Who were your Boro shining stars, then?

22:21Adam Steel

Those cup scores on the doors

22:15Adam Steel

Traore's special contribution a & telling Academy moment

Adama Traore on the run against Scunthorpe (Image: Katie Lunn)

It might have ‘only’ been against Scunthorpe but there were no shortage of boxes ticked by Boro tonight, including a breakthrough performance from Adama Traore.

Jono has just published a piece rounding it all up.

Here’s an extract:

The first half belonged to Boro, and it was Traore who was the architect-in-chief.

“In the build-up, Monk called for his players to start quicker in matches. The Boro boss felt his side had handed Wolves and Forest the early initiative in the club’s two league setbacks to date.

“He got what he asked for, albeit it took a few minutes for Boro to fully click. But the home side looked the part - dominated possession, and an incisive Traore was the player who put Boro in the ascendancy.

“The rapid winger, often criticised for an inconsistent final ball, held up his end of the bargain inside the first 15 minutes as darted to the byline and drilled an inch-perfect delivery across the face of goal - only to find none of his teammates had gambled at the back post.

“But they learned their lesson. Just moments later, the 21-year-old was at it again - using his pace to get beyond Scunthorpe left-back Townsend - and the inevitable opener came through Fabio, the marauding full-back holding his nerve to head home at the back post.

“It was vintage Traore, an undoubted talent, and it was another reminder of just what he can offer Boro this season.

No cup joy for Jordan

Sheff Wed are among the sides who went out of the League Cup tonight , despite a late double from ex-Boro striker Jordan Rhodes at Bolton.

21:48Adam Steel

In your own time, fellas

21:47Adam Steel

Sunderland next, anyone?

21:35KEY EVENT

Full-time: Boro 3, Scunthorpe 0

As comfortable a night’s work as you could have hoped for. Boro were, as you’d expect, head and shoulders above Scunny.They did the damage in the first half then added a third in the second.

Plenty for Monk to ponder after a few notable displays - including Adama Traore and Grant Leadbitter.Great to see two young players, Marcus Tavernier and Lewis Wing, feature.A good night’s work. Into the third round we go.

All smiles: Daniel Ayala celebrates with Ashley Fletcher after the former West Ham striker scored Boro's third goal (Image: Katie Lunn)

21:28Dominic Shaw

Wing almost off to a flyer

Wing almost makes an immediate impact.Cutting in from the right, Downing teed up the former Shildon man in the box. He steadied himself but saw his shot well blocked.He’s at the heart of things again a moment later, though - this time on the left.

Wing manoeuvred the ball onto his right and aimed for Rudy’s head, his cross falling just short and headed away.Promising first few minutes of senior Boro action.

21:26Dominic Shaw

Rudy!

Middlesbrough striker Rudy Gestede.

‘RUDY, RUDY’ is the cry as the big striker comes on for Fletcher.A vocal show of support for the frontman interesting Leeds.Lewis Wing on to make his debut as well, in the place of Grant Leadbitter. Quality tonight. One step ahead all night.Adam Forshaw gets the armband. Is that a first?

21:21Adam Steel

Wing on for his Boro debut

Love it! Great to see a former Northern League player get his chance in the Boro first-team.

21:20Dominic Shaw

So close from Stewy

If this is a send-off for Stewy then he wasn’t far away from marking it with a goal.Cutting in from the left, he moved the ball onto his right foot and looked to sweep it into the far corner but just couldn’t keep it down.A moment or two earlier, Scunthorpe defender Murray Wallace, who’s clearly had enough of Adama, almost sent him tumbling with a flailing arm that would have rugby league referees wincing.Talking of Adama, he’s just set off on one of his mazy rapid runs. He might have flaws but he isn’t half exciting to watch!

21:11Dominic Shaw

Tavernier should be pleased

With his night’s work after the young Boro flanker was replaced by the best winger the club’s ever produced.Tavernier showed no fear, was bright throughout and added an assist to his name.

Nice.

Marcus Tavernier in action against Rochdale (Image: CameraSport)

21:09Dominic Shaw

Sharp-shooting from Boro

Garry Monk called for his side to be more clinical after Saturday’s defeat.Three goals from four shots on target so far tonight - he’ll be pleased with that, you’d think.We’d just had our first sighting this season of Stewart Downing before he came on as he trotted out for a warm-up.

Stewie had been named on the bench alongside Ben Gibson, George Friend and Lewis Wing.

With Boro’s progression looking all but guaranteed, will Monk give Wing his debut?

Stewart Downing in action for Boro against Sunderland

21:06Adam Steel

Downing on for Boro

Well, well - could Stewie still have a Boro future after all?

The Birmingham City target has just come on for the impressive Tavernier.

21:03Adam Steel

Scunthorpe sub

The Iron need a miracle at this stage but have decided to make a change:

21:00Dominic Shaw

Fantastic from Fletcher

More details on that Fletcher goal...The striker started the move and finished it.

Charging towards the box, he played it on to Tavernier on the left, who returned the favour by squaring it for the striker to tap home.That should well be that.Time to get those flights checked to get over to Beijing in time for the third round draw.

Middlesbrough's Ashley Fletcher

20:58KEY EVENT

Fletcher makes it 3-0 to Boro

Ashley Fletcher had just had a fine chance before he put Boro three to the good, as well.

Lewis Baker, who’s very assured and neat in the middle tonight, nicked the ball in the centre circle and set Boro away on a counter.On it went to Fletcher who opened his body on the edge but his shot was a tame one giving Gilks an easy save. He would have been disappointed with that, but quickly made amends.

20:55Adam Steel

Half-time scores from elsewhere

Here’s how it looked at the break in terms of other League Cup scores, around the grounds:

20:54Dominic Shaw

Back underway...

We’re back underway here - and we start the second half with a Scunthorpe chance.A free-kick on the right was swung in and it was a man in green who got up to win the header, but saw his effort bounce the wrong side of the post.No changes for either side, by the way.And for those interested, there are 12,679 here tonight.

20:52Adam Steel

Pipe and slippers stuff from Boro

Pace and end product: Adama Traore has impressed in the first half against Scunthorpe

Gazette Boro man Anthony Vickers enjoyed events in the opening 45 minutes - even though all written Traore references come over as ‘Trapper’ on predictive text.

Here’s his take on the first-half:

The first 45 was as comfortable as sitting in your favourite chair in a onesie cradling a cup of cocoa in front of a real fire.“There was a laid back air to a game that Boro totally dominated but while it lacked intensity and tempo it wasn’t short of positives.“Traore seems to have added end product to his game and has put in a string of crosses while his electric weaving runs have left Scunthorpedefenders spending the break ringing a trauma hotline.“But there have but some big pluses in midfield too with Lewis Baker carving out time and space with deft touches and knitting the frontline together. His goal was a cracker too.“And Grant Leadbitter has run the show with sweeping pin point passes and neat recycling.

“It is not often you can accuse him of showboating but he played a couple of mother of pearl monogrammed Hollywood balls and at one point laughed as an audacious chip dipped just over.“It may end up as a training exercise but Boro are enjoying this .”

Fabio celebrates

Further confirmation of that half-time score

Not like any was needed, but:

20:34Dominic Shaw

Quick and clinical from Boro

Garry Monk called for his side to be quicker out of the blocks and to be more clinical.2-0 up at the break - you can’t argue with that.Goals from Fabio and Lewis Baker put Boro in complete control.It’s been very routine. Dimi has got a kit on but he’s been a spectator in this first half.More of the same in the second half and this should be a comfortable night’s work.

20:32KEY EVENT

Half-time: Boro 2, Scunthorpe 0

Marcus Tavernier had a chance to mark his first Boro start with a goal just now.The youngster, cutting in from the left flank, pulled the trigger on the edge of the box but saw his effort blocked by former Bradford man Rory McArdle.McArdle was 90 minutes away from joining Boro in the Championship this season.

He was in the Bradford team that lost to Millwall in the League One play-off final before going on to join Scunny in the summer.We’re into stoppage time, by the way - one minute.

Now make that half-time...

Middlesbrough's Marcus Tavernier

20:26Dominic Shaw

Keep-ball from Boro

Into the last five minutes of the first half and it’s turned into a bit of a keep-ball exercise for Boro.Scunny are chasing shadows somewhat, with Grant Leadbitter and Adam Forshaw dictating play in the middle.Dimi still very much a spectator at the other end.As for further openings, a couple of half chances as Fabio got into a promising position but overhit his cross and Baker again tried his luck but this time pulled his effort wide.